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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Evergreen frontman still going strong</li><li>Will turn 40 in February 2025</li><li>Still has targets to hit before retirement</li></ul>

Why 900-goal Cristiano Ronaldo won’t ‘give up any time soon’ – with Al-Nassr superstar still enjoying hero worship in Portugal

Scotland international Gauld knows all about Ronaldo’s standing in his homeland, having spent time on the books at Sporting – the club that put CR7 on the road to superstardom. The odd <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/reason-why-cristiano-ronaldo-saudi-arabia-problem-portugal-39-year-old-extends-career-2026-world-cup/blt27f1ef1a43ca9f8d" target="_blank">question may have been asked of his value</a> to an international cause at 39 years of age, but the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/gobsmacked-cristiano-ronaldo-retirement-date-revealed-former-man-utd-team-mate-rio-ferdinand/blt0cf499ce1a27f434" target="_blank">five-time Ballon d’Or winner is not going anywhere</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-more-dreams-al-nassr-portugal-star-900th-career-goal-aged-39/bltb7aa635ded895fc4" target="_blank">reached 900 career goals when netting</a> on his latest appearance for Portugal – taking him to 131 through 213 appearances for his country – and is being tipped to grace the 2026 World Cup, while also delaying any retirement plans at club level.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gauld has told reporters of what makes the evergreen ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid forward a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-how-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-inspiring-harry-kane-record-100m-bayern-munich-striker-years-left/blt4bc614e42c4fc90b" target="_blank">source of inspiration to players around the world</a>: "Ronaldo doesn't look like he's ready to give up any time soon. As long as there's a chance to play and a chance to score goals, I'm guessing he'll be there. I played at Sporting Lisbon, where he started out. He's obviously a hero around those parts. There are murals everywhere and that kind of thing. You won't find anyone saying a bad word about him. So, you can see why he wants to play as much as he can."

WHAT GAULD SAID

Gauld added: “I think it inspires everyone when you see how good a shape he's in at the age of 39. He's still got the mentality to play at the highest level he can and score goals. It definitely proves if you want to play on you totally can if you look after yourself and do the right things. I think, just for football in general, he's someone that everyone would look up to.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo will be back in action on Sunday when facing Scotland in the UEFA Nations League. He will return to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr after that fixture, with it his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-1000-career-goals-al-nassr-striker-age-retire-football/blte7c4b4ae38b6732e" target="_blank">intention to reach 1,000 goals for club and country before thinking about hanging up his boots</a>.

WHAT NEXT?

Why 900-goal Cristiano Ronaldo won’t ‘give up any time soon’ – with Al-Nassr superstar still enjoying hero worship in Portugal | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is still worshipped as a hero in Portugal, and Ryan Gauld says that means the all-time great will not “give up any time soon”.